Beaches, parks, MVC — What would close next week in NJ shutdown?

TRENTON — For the second year in a row, Island Beach State Park could be closed for a Fourth of July weekend as a result of a state government shutdown, which still remains likely but not certain.

Gov. Phil Murphy and legislative leaders of his own party have been at an impasse over a state budget. If the Democrats do not hammer out a deal by the end of Saturday, all non-essential state services will close until a budget is adopted.

Both sides met for several hours Friday morning in Murphy's office but no agreement was reached. Senate President Steve Sweeney said negotiations would resume in the afternoon.

The Murphy administration has not put out a definitive list of what would close in the event of a shutdown, but here is a list of what likely would be affected based on what happened last year when Chris Christie was governor and fought over the budget with the Assembly.

OPEN — Local beaches & Sandy Hook

The vast majority of beaches on the Jersey Shore are municipal and would not be affected by a shutdown. Sandy Hook is a federal park and those beaches would remain open as well.

CLOSED — Island Beach State Park & state parks

The vast sands of Island Beach State Park would be off limits during a shutdown. That's the beach that Christie and his family had all to themselves during the state shutdown last year.

The list of state parks and beaches that would be affected includes:

Abram S. Hewitt State Forest
Allaire State Park
Allamuchy Mountain State Park
Atsion Recreation Area
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Bass River State Forest
Belleplain State Forest
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
Bull's Island Recreation Area
Cape May Point State Park
Cheesequake State Park
Corson's Inlet State Park
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
Double Trouble State Park
Senator Frank S. Farley State Marina
Farny State Park
Forked River State Marina
Fortescue State Marina
Fort Mott State Park
Hacklebarney State Park
High Point State Park
Hopatcong State Park
Island Beach State Marina
Island Beach State Park
Jenny Jump State Forest
Kittatinny Valley State Park
Leonardo State Marina
Liberty Landing Marina
Liberty State Park
Long Pond Ironworks State Park
Monmouth Battlefield State Park
Norvin Green State Forest
Parvin State Park
Penn State Forest
Princeton Battlefield State Park
Ramapo Mountain State Forest
Rancocas State Park
Ringwood State Park
Round Valley Recreation Area
Spruce Run Recreation Area
Stephens State Park
Stokes State Forest
Swartswood State Park
Voorhees State Park
Warren Grove Recreation Area
Washington Crossing State Park
Washington Rock State Park
Wawayanda State Park
Wharton State Forest
Worthington State Forest

OPEN — Toll booths and rest stops

Service areas on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike would be open. NJ Transit will also continue running.

CLOSED — Motor Vehicle Commission

The MVC would be closed anyway on a Sunday and the Fourth on Wednesday. But if the shutdown continues into the week, you'd have to wait before renewing your license or registration.

OPEN — Casinos & state Lottery

Gambling would continue in Atlantic City.

CLOSED — Department of Health

You won't be able to get copies of birth and marriage certificates. No new certifications or renewals will be issued for EMTs, paramedics or Certified Nursing Assistants.

OPEN — Police and emergency services

State Police, prisons, child welfare and state hospitals would not be affected. Juvenile Justice Commission operations, State Medical Examiner Offices, and other public safety operations will continue. Child abuse hotlines, protection services and response teams will continue to operate. Schools for children with special needs will remain open.

OPEN — Welfare & labor offices

Department of Human Services developmental centers and hospitals would stay open. Benefits and services including food stamps and child support would not be impacted.

Unemployment Insurance and disability determination services would continue. Temporary Disability Insurance claims, Wage and Hour claims and Family Leave Insurance claims may be filed but would not be processed.

CLOSED — Certain labor offices

One Stop Career Centers, Workers Compensation Courts and Division of Vocational and Rehabilitation Services would be closed.

OPEN — Department of Community Affairs

CLOSED — Travel & tourism centers

OPEN — Education

Schools for children with special needs would remain open. Department of Education phone help desks, customer service, and all other related staff-based assistance functions will be unavailable and all core public functions would be closed.